www.nederpoparchief.nl/bluesbrothers/john.html

This site (above) credits Son House as the author.

www.ibiblio.org/jimmy/folkden/ php/search/individ.php?mid

The above site says what follows:

This song was recorded originally in 1930 by Blind Willie Johnson. He was one of the foremost African American singers of religious songs, with thirty records to his credit. On his recording of this song, his wife, Angeline sang the answer back part.